Action and Solidarity Party submits complaint to Moldova Constitutional Court on uninominal districts

16 February 2018- The Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), with the help of MP Grigore Cobzac, submitted a complaint to Moldova’s Constitutional Court on the non-constitutionality of Government’s decision on the uninominal electoral circumscriptions (Decision Nr. 970/2017 from 15.11.2017).

According to PAS, the decision violates several articles of the Electoral Code and the 239th law from 2008 on the transparency in decision-making. PAS thinks that the formed uninominal districts violated the limits of 55-60 thousand voters per one district. Only 10 districts, all situated in Chișinău, follow the rule. In addition, the maximum deviation of 10% in voting population was violated in some cases.

The party led by Maia Sandu also found a violation at the formation of the circumscriptions for the voters living abroad- the districts were simply approved by the commission members.

In addition, 9 Chișinău districts were formed in the 5 official quarters by dividing them contrary to a condition of non-division of 1st level administrative units.

Putting localities from different (at least 2) administrative districts was exceedingly used as an exception, contrary to the general rule of keeping localities within the same administrative borders.

In regard to the transparency, PAS is accusing the Government of adopting the format of the uninominal districts without organizing consultations or hearings with the civil society.

PAS asks the Constitutional Court to examine the non-constitutionality of the uninominal circumscriptions because of its violation of the “rule of law” principles, written in the 3rd paragraph of the 1st article of Moldova’s Constitution.

According to the new electoral system, 51 MPs would be elected from electoral districts and 50 from party lists. The current edition of the electoral law also stipulates that the electoral districts would be formed by a special Government commission, composed of civil society and political parties’ representatives, as well as representatives of ethnic minorities and expert bodies. The shape of the electoral districts would be published one year before the elections. Voters from Transnistria and from abroad would be represented on the geographical basis, besides their electoral “weight”. 7 electoral debates have been organized to debate the draft on the mixed electoral system, but a large part of the civil society and all opposition parties refused to participate and had little involvement stating that the new system does not address the real problems of the electoral process. The Venice Commission strongly advised the Moldovan authorities not to implement the mixed electoral system at the current moment. The European Union and the United States were disappointed by Moldova Parliament’s decision to disregard Venice Commission, ODIHR recommendations.

President Dodon’s warning: I will form a National Front of Resistance for all citizens who are against the Union with Romania

The Moldovan Union leaders have recently announced the most significant unionist demonstration since the independence of the Republic of Moldova, which will take place on Sunday, March 25, at 12.00, in the Great National Assembly Square, in Chișinău. The Union leaders invited citizens to ask the authorities on both sides of the Prut river to reunite the Romanian people.

The president of the National Unity Block declared that on March 25, we must show the whole world that on both banks of the Prut River a union is desirable and that it will be accomplished in 2018.

As a response, Moldova President Dodon announced that if the situation “will come out of control” on March 25-27, when union rallies are supposed to take place, then he, as head of state, will form a National Front. It will constitute a platform “of resistance for all citizens of the Republic of Moldova who are against the union and want to preserve Moldovan statehood and identity.”

“I will denounce it to the local and foreign authorities involved in the anti-constitutional and anti-state processes that their actions will get the boomerang effect and ultimately will strengthen the Moldovan identity, but at the same time could generate extremely negative reactions towards the central power of Chisinau and to the exponents of the revanchard policy in the neighboring state,” Igor Dodon said.

The head of state declared that the Republic of Moldova and Romania “could remain” state-friends:

“Why do you insist that the citizens’ defense reaction turns them into hostile states?”, added the official.

Minister of Justice Alexandru Tanase announced his resignation

On Sunday morning, Alexandru Tanase made an announcement on Facebook about his resignation from the position of Minister of Justice.

In his message, the public servant declares that it is in the spirit of the European values for any function of public dignity to be based primarily on public confidence, but if this confidence threatens any initiative, it will not yield the expected result.

Under these circumstances, Tanase concluded that the most appropriate solution in this situation is to end his public career.